The afterglow of the setting sun spilled over us, casting two long shadows that seemed to foreshadow the precarious future of the Wu Family. My heart felt heavy, Elder Wu's words echoing in my ears. What on earth was this larger storm? Would our journey be successful?
Meng Li and I traveled in a rush, finally arriving at the Qingyun Sect on the second morning. Built against the mountain, the Qingyun Sect was wreathed in clouds and mist, looking just like an immortal realm. I handed Elder Wu's letter to the guarding disciples, hoping to see the Qingyun Sect Master as soon as possible.
Waiting time is always exceptionally long. It was not until midday that an inner disciple finally led us into the grand hall. The Qingyun Sect Master was an elderly man with a crane's hair and a youthful complexion. He took the letter, merely glanced over it perfunctorily, and set it aside.
"I have already heard about the Wu Family's affairs," the Qingyun Sect Master said indifferently, not a single ripple of emotion in his tone. "However, the demonic path is rampant now, and the Qingyun Sect is struggling to protect itself. I'm afraid we cannot lend a helping hand."
His words sent a chill through both Meng Li and me. Meng Li could not help speaking up: "Sect Master, my Wu Family has been on friendly terms with your esteemed sect for generations. Now that my Wu Family is facing disaster, I beg the Sect Master to show regard for our past friendship and extend a helping hand!"
The Qingyun Sect Master shook his head and said, "Nieces Meng Li, you do not understand. The demonic path is approaching aggressively now, and we must be on our guard! If we casually meddle in the Wu Family's affairs, I am afraid it will invite disaster upon ourselves!"
I could hear the evasion in his words and felt a surge of anger, but I managed to suppress my emotions and said, "Sect Master, my Wu Family is by no means a coward afraid of death. It is simply that this matter is of great importance. I beg the Sect Master to think twice!"
The Qingyun Sect Master waved his hand and said, "I am already aware of this matter. You should go back and wait for news. If there is an opportunity, the Qingyun Sect will certainly do its utmost to help!"
Though his tone was polite, his attitude was extremely resolute; clearly, he had no intention of meddling in this matter. With no other choice, Meng Li and I rose to take our leave, our hearts growing even heavier.
After leaving the Qingyun Sect, we hurried without stopping to several other allied sects, but the results were all the same. These sects either turned a blind eye to the Wu Family's crisis, put forward harsh conditions, or even seized the opportunity to pillage, attempting to swallow up the Wu Family.
During a negotiation with the leader of a certain sect, Meng Li and I argued strongly on just grounds, only to be rejected on the pretext of insufficient strength.
"Your Wu Family can barely protect yourselves now, and you still expect us to step in and help? What sheer delusion!" that sect leader said disdainfully. "I advise you to head back early and obediently prepare for your funeral!"
I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails dug deep into my flesh, yet I was utterly helpless. Could it be that I really had to watch helplessly as the Wu Family marched toward destruction?
After leaving that sect, Meng Li and both of us remained silent, the oppressive atmosphere terrifying. We hit brick wall after brick wall, our hopes shattering over and over again, and the despair in our hearts grew deeper.
I knew I had to find a new way out; otherwise, the Wu Family would truly be finished...
Upon returning to the Wu Family, I laid bare all the cold receptions and humiliations we had suffered during this period. Hearing this, Father let out a long sigh, his eyes filled with exhaustion.
"Chen'er, Meng Li, you have suffered." He patted my shoulder, his tone heavy. "It seems those minor sects cannot be counted on. We can only seek help from more powerful sects."
"But, Father," Meng Li said, a troubled look on her face, "those major sects are high and mighty, how could they easily meddle in our Wu Family's affairs?"
Father shook his head, his gaze turning resolute. "Things have reached this point, we have no other choice. Whether it succeeds or fails, we must try. Even if there is only a glimmer of hope, we must strive for it!"
He paused and continued, "I have decided, we are going to the Tixuan Sect! The Tixuan Sect is the most powerful sect in the nearby region. If even they refuse to act, then our Wu Family will truly..."
Father did not finish, but I knew the remaining words must have been "doomed beyond redemption."
The Tixuan Sect was located in a remote area, and the journey was long and fraught with danger. To avoid drawing attention, we decided to set out overnight, accompanied only by a few trusted subordinates.
The night was as dark as ink, the mountain paths rugged. Meng Li and I rode side by side, the mountain wind howling past our ears, while our hearts felt weighed down by a massive boulder, making it hard to breathe.
"Meng Li, are you afraid?" I turned to look at Meng Li beside me, and by the faint moonlight, I saw her delicate brows knitted, her face carrying a trace of fatigue.
"Not afraid, with you by my side." Meng Li shook his head, offering me a forced smile. "I believe that as long as we work together with one heart, we will surely weather this difficulty."
Her strength moved me and further strengthened my determination to protect her. No matter what, I had to protect her and ensure she suffered no more harm.
Yet fate always seemed to enjoy playing tricks on us. Just as we were about to reach the Tixuan Sect, an accident occurred.
"Who goes there?!" The guard walking at the very front suddenly let out a stern shout, immediately followed by the sound of clashing blades.
"Not good, it's an ambush!" My heart sank instantly, and I immediately realized we had been attacked.
The enemies were clearly prepared, numerous in number, and possessed considerable strength. We fought as we retreated, but being outnumbered, we quickly fell into a disadvantageous position.
"Brother Chen, watch out!" Meng Li cried out in alarm, shoving me aside just as an enemy blade slashed across her arm.
"Meng Li!" My eyes split with rage as I swung my sword to beat back the enemies before me and pulled her behind my back.
"Don't worry about me, go!" Enduring the pain, Meng Li shoved something into my hand. "This is the token to enter the Tixuan Sect, go!"
I looked down to see a jade pendant engraved with the character "Wu." It was the heirloom token passed down through generations in the Wu Family, and also our only credential for this trip.
I gripped the jade pendant tightly, my heart filled with grief and despair. I could not abandon Meng Li, nor could I let the Wu Family's hope be severed in my hands.
Just as I hesitated, more enemies swarmed up, surrounding us completely.
"Go!" Meng Li shouted with her last ounce of strength. "If you don't go now, it will be too late!"
I knew that staying behind would only result in a meaningless sacrifice; I had to live on carrying her hope!
"Meng Li, wait for me!" I gave her one deep look, then turned and plunged into the dark dense forest.
Meng Li's heart-rending cries came from behind me, and my heart ached as if being carved by knives. But I could not look back; I had to survive, for Meng Li's sake, and for the Wu Family's!
I ran with all my might until I was utterly exhausted and could run no longer. I leaned against a big tree, panting heavily, my heart filled with confusion and despair.
I had lost Meng Li, and I had also lost the Wu Family's token. On this trip to the Tixuan Sect, was there still any hope?
I ran wildly all the way, losing count of how many times I tripped, until the edge of the sky turned the color of fish-belly white, and I finally reached the mountain gate of the Tixuan Sect.
True to its reputation as the most powerful sect in the nearby region, the Tixuan Sect's mountain gate alone was built with magnificent grandeur. Two towering stone pillars reaching into the clouds were carved with lifelike divine beasts, as if they might come to life at any moment.
Dragging my exhausted body, I arrived before the mountain gate, only to be stopped by two guarding disciples.
"Halt! Who goes there? State your name!" One of the disciples held a long sword, eyeing me with vigilance.
I took a deep breath, enduring the pain in my body, and forced myself to appear calmer. "Greetings, Senior Brothers, my name is Kong Chen, and I am from the Wu Family. I have an urgent matter requesting an audience with your esteemed sect master."
"The Wu Family?" The other disciple looked me up and down, his eyes full of suspicion. "Isn't the Wu Family already in decline? Why would they still send someone to our Tixuan Sect?"
My heart sank, knowing that Meng Li's worries had become reality. The news of the Wu Family's downfall had already spread, and now even ordinary disciples of the Tixuan Sect held us in contempt.
"Two Senior Brothers might not know, our Wu Family..." I was about to explain when I suddenly remembered that the token Meng Li had given me was lost, leaving me instantly at a loss for words.
"What about you?" Seeing me stammering, that disciple became even more suspicious. "Could it be that you are here to swindle and bluff? I advise you to leave immediately, otherwise..."
"I am not lying to you! I truly have a very important matter and wish to see your sect master!" I anxiously tried to prove my identity, but the more I spoke, the more muddled I became, making it all the more suspicious.
"Hmph, you say you have an important matter, then where is the proof? Where is the token?"
I was instantly rendered speechless, forced to watch helplessly as they turned me away.
"Get lost! Our Tixuan Sect is not a place just any stray cat or dog can enter!"
I walked down the mountain gate in a daze, my heart filled with despair. Without the token, what qualification did I have to ask the Tixuan Sect for help?
Just as I felt disheartened, a familiar figure appeared before me.
"Brother Chen!" Meng Li's voice carried a hint of weakness, but even more so, pleasant surprise.
I jerked my head up to see Meng Li standing not far away, followed by a few Wu Family guards.
"Meng Li! Are you alright? Your injury..." I rushed forward in excitement and pulled her into an embrace.
"I'm fine, just a superficial wound." Meng Li shook her head, her gaze falling on my empty hands. "Where is the token?"
I instantly deflated like a punctured ball, lowering my head powerlessly. "I'm sorry, Meng Li, I... I lost the token."
Hearing this, Meng Li's face paled, but she quickly regained her composure. "It's alright, Brother Chen, this is not your fault. We will think of another way."
I was moved in my heart, but also blamed myself even more. It was my failure to protect Meng Li, and my failure to complete the task she had given me.
We came before the Tixuan Sect's mountain gate once again, this time with Meng Li personally stepping forward to explain. But because I lacked the token, the people of the Tixuan Sect simply did not believe our identities, let alone allow us in.
"Meng Li, let's go." I tugged at Meng Li's sleeve, my tone bitter. "They won't believe us."
Meng Li bit her lip, her eyes filled with reluctance, but she finally nodded.
We turned and left, our figures desolate and lonely.
"Could it be that there truly is no other way?" I muttered to myself, my voice filled with despair.
Just as we prepared to leave, an aged and mysterious voice suddenly echoed in our ears: "If you want to save the Wu Family, go to the Misty Forest..."
I snapped my head around, only to find the surroundings completely empty, save for the howling mountain wind.
"Brother Chen, what is it?" Meng Li asked with concern, seeing my strange expression.
I shook my head and lowered my voice. "Let's leave this place first and talk."
I had a premonition that the appearance of that voice might be our last hope.
I took Meng Li's hand and hurried away from the Tixuan Sect. That voice had come bizarrely and vanished just as suddenly, like a gust of wind brushing past the ear, leaving one clueless as to where it came from or where it was heading.
"Brother Chen, what is wrong with you? Why must we leave?" Meng Li asked in puzzlement, her clear eyes filled with worry.
I stopped in my tracks, scanned our surroundings, and making sure no one was following us, spoke in a low voice: "Meng Li, do you remember the voice we heard when we left the Tixuan Sect?"
Meng Li knitted her brows slightly, recalled carefully, and nodded. "I remember, that voice said... if we want to save the Wu Family, we should go to the Misty Forest?"
"Yes, exactly those words," I mused. "Though we don't know if this voice is friend or foe, we have reached a dead end now. Perhaps this Misty Forest is our last hope."
Hearing this, Meng Li was silent for a moment. She gently pulled my hand and said softly, "Brother Chen, I believe you. No matter where you go, I will accompany you."
A warmth bloomed in my heart. I turned my hand over to clasp Meng Li's tightly and nodded firmly. Meng Li's trust in me was my greatest driving force at this moment.
Asking for directions along the way toward the Misty Forest, we finally arrived at this legendary, danger-filled region three days later.
The sight before us made both Meng Li and me gasp.
Dense fog shrouded the entire forest like a huge white wall, isolating everything outside from the world. Trees loomed indistinctly in the mist, their twisted branches resembling grasping, clawed monsters that made one's blood run cold.
"Is this the Misty Forest? It truly lives up to its reputation..." I muttered to myself, a flutter of unease stirring in my heart.
"Brother Chen, do we really have to go in?" Meng Li's voice trembled slightly, clearly terrified by the sight before her.
I took a deep breath and said firmly, "Since we've come this far, there's no turning back. Let's go, we'll go in and take a look; perhaps that voice is waiting for us deep within this forest."
With that, I took Meng Li's hand and plunged headfirst into the Misty Forest.
The moment we stepped into the forest, a chilling, damp aura rushed toward us, making one involuntarily shiver. The surroundings were deathly quiet, with only the sound of our footsteps echoing in the thick fog, adding an even more eerie atmosphere.
"Brother Chen, I... I'm a little scared." Meng Li's voice was very soft, yet like a feather lightly scratching at my heartstrings.
I stopped, turned, and pulled Meng Li into my embrace, comforting her softly, "Don't be afraid, Meng Li, I will protect you."
Meng Li's body trembled slightly as she hugged me tightly, as if only thus could she find a trace of security.
I gently patted her back, silently vowing in my heart to protect Meng Li no matter what and find a way to save the Wu Family.
Just at that moment, a strange sound suddenly drifted from afar, sounding like the low growl of a beast, or perhaps the screech of some unknown creature.
Meng Li and I instantly grew vigilant, gripping our weapons tightly, holding our breath, and walking in the direction from which the sound came.